Reader's view: Daily News should have taken a stand

Ric Shahin

Published
8:17 am EDT, Friday, August 24, 2018

To the editor:

The Midland Daily News abandoned its responsibilities, and probably its principles on Aug. 16. On a day when the free press, nationwide, took the opportunity to defend the most crucial public right enshrined in the Bill of Rights, the Midland Daily News sat it out. More than 350 newspapers across the land wrote individual editorials in support of free, open expression in print. Why did you not respond to the call?

When the right of free speech in this country has been under attack, it was the press that rallied to protect it. When religious persecution rears its ugly head, the press defends rights of unpopular views. When governmental officials designate geographic zones to protect themselves from hearing the people, the press points out the hypocrisy. When our local elected officials are better at form letters and phone forums than meeting with constituents, it's up to the press to hold them accountable.

And when the president imitates foreign thugs and tinhorn dictators by calling the press (Midland Daily News included) the "enemy of the people," it rightfully sends a chill down the spine of anyone interested in governmental accountability, open information, free elections, and the civil rights of average citizens. Because all of those things have been protected by a free press. Unpopular sometimes? Sure. But the actions of our media are more essential to our functioning as a democracy than anything our elected officials do.

By failing to join your fellow threatened colleagues across the country, you tacitly give comfort to brutish, ignorant forces who are more of a danger to our republic than The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal ever were.

The Midland Daily News has a professional, educated staff who are aware of the media climate. Your silence failed them, and us, today.